Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Neither can I. Be that as it may, the rules of engagement are such that we are debating an amendment that only contains two named areas, Lanesboro and Shannonbridge, and the parishes therein.

On those areas specifically, I am fearful that the conditions associated with their permission - which expires next year - would oblige the ESB to dismantle those plants and to turn them back into desolate fields in the middle of those regions. The plants cost the State €450 million 15 years ago. There was an understanding, a belief and a contention at the time that they were constructed in such a way that there would be capacity to transfer from peat to biomass, either exclusively or with co-fuelling.

As I said earlier, Government policy reflected this. Unfortunately, An Bord Pleanála in its wisdom decided against a permission that would have acknowledged Government policy. As has been said repeatedly, the decision not to submit a new application, which would have been cognisant of other aspects of the decision, notwithstanding the fact that Government policy was ignored, was made by the ESB following consultation with the relevant Minister. I acknowledge, insofar as I can, having negotiated and discussed this at length with the Minister prior to the budget, as he alluded to, that the funding in the carbon tax revenue package was provided on the understanding that transition would take place in the region over the next eight or nine years. This is not now the case and we are in a new space. There needs to be a new and improved commitment that recognises this and gains our support and, association, that of the people.

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